Financial TimesPalestinian kills 3 Israelis outside West Bank settlementABC NewsIsraeli police blocks the road to Har Adar settlement near Jerusalem, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017. Israeli police said that a Palestinian attacker opened fire at the entrance to the settlement killing three Israeli men and critically wounding a fourth.Palestinian gunman kills three I […]

ForbesItalian Bike Race's Move To Israel Throws Up Questions For Arab Teams And Potential For DétenteForbesOne of the world's most prestigious bike races, the Giro d'Italia, will visit Israel as part of its schedule next year, throwing up a potentially thorny problem for two of the teams that will be expected to take part and which are sponsor […]

HaaretzTurkey's Erdogan threatens to halt renewed Israel ties over backing for Kurdish stateJewish Telegraphic Agency“If Israel does not reconsider its support for Kurdish independence, Turkey will not be able to take many steps we would have with Israel, too,” Erdogan said Tuesday, the day after a nonbinding referendum by Iraqi Kurdistan on whether to […]

National PostBarbara Kay: Boycott Roger Waters, rock legend and rabid Israel haterNational PostIn 2013 lead Animals singer Eric Burdon cancelled an appearance in Israel, intimidated by the relentless anti-Israel “pro-peace” zealots of the Boycott/Divestment/Sanctions (BDS) campaign. Other celebrities who have caved to threats of shunning and ...and more » […]

Page SixDon't mention Israel to Greta GerwigPage SixAs Greta Gerwig gathers Oscar buzz for her directorial debut, “Lady Bird,” journalists are being told not to ask the actress about her recent opposition to Lincoln Center's performances of a play co-produced by two Israeli theater companies and backed ...

HaaretzIsrael Refuses to Stop Arms Sales to Myanmar, Despite Its Campaign of Rape, Torture and Massacres Against the ...HaaretzResponding on Monday to a petition in the High Court of Justice from human-rights activists demanding an end to the arms sales, Shosh Shmueli, representing the state, said the court should not interfere in Israel's foreign relat […]

Jewish Telegraphic AgencyConan and 'Transparent' give Israel the normalcy it cravesJewish Telegraphic AgencyYet both shows appeared to have emerged from an earlier, less complicated era when Israel was largely seen as a regional good guy and the Palestinians as an uncomfortable but ultimately solvable nuisance if only haters on both sides would let […]

The Electronic Intifada (blog)Germany's new Nazis see Israel as role modelThe Electronic Intifada (blog)While Germany needs no lessons in how to be racist, this catastrophe can in part be attributed to leaders in Israel and their fanatical supporters: for years they have made common cause with Europe's far right, demonizing Muslims as alien invader […]

The Times of IsraelIsraeli tech helps Mexican rescuers locate quake victimsThe Times of IsraelRadio-wave technology developed by Israeli firm Camero-Tech that can “see” through solid walls is helping rescue workers in Mexico search through rubble for buried victims, Amir Beeri, the CEO of the firm, said. “We got reports from our representative ...

When New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo arrived in a Maria-devastated Puerto Rico Friday, he brought with him a half-dozen electrical generators – coveted assistance for an island that officials estimate could be without power for months. If New York’s governor saw fit to demonstrate solidarity with Puerto Rico, it is because of the sizable and well-established Puer […]

After a hurricane, earthquake, or a terrorist attack, artists and performers are usually not first responders. A good example was Telemundo’s four-hour telethon on Sept. 24 that brought out stars such as Jennifer Lopez on behalf of the victims of hurricanes Maria, Harvey, Irma, as well as the Mexican earthquakes. “The healing power of the arts is a real thin […]

For two days after Mexico’s 7.1 earthquake toppled scores of buildings, killing what’s now believed to be nearly 300 people, the country was captivated by the story of Frida Sofía, a 12-year-old on the brink of a miraculous rescue. Frida Sofía didn’t exist. Recommended: How much do you know about Mexico?

In a bright and boxy photo studio in South Sudan’s capital, an industrial printer is spitting out a glossy stack of exotic vacation snapshots. Recommended: Think you know Africa? “Couches, grand pianos, far away houses – these are the things people most like to have the backgrounds in their pictures,” says Tsedeke Abebaw, the owner of On Time Photo Studios i […]

We all heard Donald Trump brag about committing sexual assault. It was shocking to hear, and upsetting to nearly everyone. Trump wants us to believe that it was locker room banter: just men talking the way men talk! In other words, it was harmless. But Donald Trump is wrong. The words he spoke were not […] The post What It Feels Like to Be A Survivor of Sex […]

Judging by the number of articles, words per article, comments per article, and pure passion, one could reasonably conclude that the war of words being waged against Open Orthodoxy is of major public interest and concern. I am certain that many people are extremely invested in how this all plays out on the pages of […] The post Why the War of Words About Ope […]

Presenting another episode of Finkorswim Live on the Stunt Show. Today’s show featured two topics. Understanding both sides of the Orthodox women rabbis issue and Elad Nehorai joined us to talk about Hevria and Hevria Academy. The show aired at 1 PM ET today on NachumSegal.com and the NSN App. The show has been archived and is available as a podcast on […] T […]

About a year ago, I launched a series of Torah classes that has taken me on an inspiring journey. The chief complaint of the mostly Millennial group who asked me to teach this class, was that they were fluent in the basics of Judaism, they knew the curated version of its meaning that they learned in school, they wanted […] The post My Course on Non-Conformis […]

This article first appeared on Haaretz.com. It is reproduced here with permission. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the starting block and finish line of our yearlong journey. The High Holidays offer us time to reflect, repent, and redo. We are seeking a chance to start over, aspiring to a better life. As we start […] The post Why Jews Should Look to Germany […]

The High Holidays are upon us. For the last 7 years, I have been in Venice for the High Holidays. I will certainly miss that experience this year. A few people asked me if I would be leading a High Holidays service this year. I would love to lead a High Holidays service this year. […] The post Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Services appeared first on Finkorswi […]

Orthodox Judaism emphasizes Talmud study. Some people love the analysis and debate format of the Talmud but other people prefer studying the final decisions of the Talmud. They don’t enjoy the argument and discussion in the Talmud, and they most certainly do not love the layer upon layer of subsequent debate about the arguments in […] The post Why Can’t We A […]

This article first appeared in the Jewish Journal. The Jewish family is in a constant state of mourning. Most of the time, we push our mourning to the back of our collective consciousness and carry on our daily lives as if we’ve suffered no loss. Once a year, though, we allow the misery and pain […] The post Who Will Comfort Us? appeared first on Finkorswim. […]

The Pew Research Center released their recent study, and the results paint a bleak picture of our religious future in America. It is clear: God’s poll numbers are down across the board, and especially among Millennials. Immediately, frantic media headlines prophesied the end of religion as we know it. Is this fate? Are we destined to live […] The post Religi […]

Reb und Likutey Moharan

Temple Talk Radio: Calling Out to G-d ‘From the Narrow Place’

A Pre-Rosh HaShana Primer: The Transforming Power of the Shofar With the holy New Year, Rosh HaShana, coming up in just another two weeks, this week’s edition of Temple Talk features our hosts discussing the major themes of Rosh HaShana. The program also focuses on the Divinely-mandated service of this special holiday — the sounding of the shofar. Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman discuss the reasons and allusions behind the shofar, in a show chock full of Biblical references and insights. Plus: Yitzchak Reuven shares his amazing adventures riding the Jerusalem Light Rail, packed with strange gyrations, fist-bumps and optics.

פרשת השבוע – פרשת ואתחנן

מפי הרה”ג יצחק כהן שליט”א

Temple Talk Radio: From Tisha B’Av to Tu B’Av: From Mourning to Rejoicing

28.07.2015 A Message for Obama: The View from Under the Bus Unprecedented Numbers of Jews Visit the Temple Mount on Tisha B’Av and Reaffirm the Jewish People’s Eternal Connection to their Holy Site This week’s rousing Torah portion of parashat Ve’etchanan features Moses’ plea to enter the Land of Israel, in order to see ‘this good mountain, and the Lebanon,’ a coded reference to the Holy Temple. Indeed, this weeks features a unique progression in time on the Holy Temple calendar, from the mourning of Tisha B’Av to the joyous crescendo of Tu B’Av. How do we understand the indefatigable nature of Jewish existence? It’s the secret of the Holy Temple. Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Richman for an amazing edition of Temple Talk, including a first-hand description of the experience of Tisha B’Av on the Temple Mount, as well as an important analysis and review of recent events at the holy site.

Tu B’Av and the Essence of Marriage

In this Torah shiur on marriage and shidduchim, Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller speaks about what the 15th day of Av represents. On this day, the heavenly attributes of Chochma and Binah combine, as do the middot of Tiferet and Malchut. This merging of forces represents the completion of the soul through marriage. This Torah class is available online in streaming video and for download in mp3 and ipod video formats.

Tisha B’Av: Reigniting Our Connection To Yerushalayim 2013

Every year, hundreds of people gather at Ohel Wosk on Moshav Matityahu to hear HaRav Zev Leff, Rosh HaYeshiva Gedolah Matisyahu and Morah D’Asra of the Moshav, expound on various aspects of the kinnos on a relevant theme. The topic of this year’s series is titled “The Five Calamities of Tisha B’Av”, which delves into the various sins that they represent through nine kinnos that include various aspects of the five incidents. Special thanks to the following people and sponsors and people who made this video possible: Kuvien Images | RabbiLeff.net | IsraelFuneral.com | Rafi Shachar | C.O. Shlomo Nosson Rotberg | Avromi Kaufman Copyright 2013 — All Rights Reserved — http://www.kuvienimages.comhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzztDh3o5YQ

Rabbi Joshua Bittan Rosh Chodesh Tammuz

Tisha B’Av – Special Clip

The Power of a Letter

15.06.2015 Rabbi Shmuel Greisman recalls some of the special instructions he received from the Rebbe as he began to direct the new campaign for Jewish children to own a letter in a Torah scroll. From Living Torah Volume 141 Program 56

07.06.2015 Talmud daf Yomi class for Tractate Nedarim, vows, by Rabbi Dr. Moshe P. Weisblum. תלמוד שיעור דף יומי למסכת נדרים על ידי הרב ד”ר משה פינחס ויסבלום Nedarim is the plural form of the word Neder. It is a pledge to G-D to fulfill some act in the future (either once or regularly) or to refrain from a particular type of activity of the person’s choice. The concept of the neder and the surrounded Jewish law is described at the beginning of the parsha of Matot. The word “neder” is mentioned 33 times in the Pentatuach, 19 of which occur in the Book of Numbers. Due to the strength of a neder, and the fact that one must absolutely be fulfilled if made, many pious Jews engage in the practice of saying “b’li neder” after a statement that they will do something, meaning that their statement is not a binding neder in the event they cannot fulfill their pledge due to unforeseen circumstances. Tractate Nedarim is the third tractate in Seder Nashim. It also deals with subjects such as visiting the sick and circumcision. This tractate has 90 pages. מַסֶּכֶת נְדָרִים היא המסכת השלישית בסדר נשים, המסכת עוסקת בעיקר בדיני נדרים. המסכת עוסקת גם בחלויות הנדר ומתי נדר תופס ודברים התלויים בדעתו ובלשונו של אדם. כמו כן עוסקת המסכת דרך אגב בנושאי ביקור חולים וברית מילה. בתלמוד בבלי יש למסכת זו 90 דפים. נא הצטרפו לחוג מנויי הדף היומי באינטרנט של הרב ד”ר משה פינחס ויסבלום. מקווים שתהנו!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MES15Zx1ObE

הדף היומי:הרב משה ביתן שליט’א

The Key to Blessing

28.05.2015 Ever wonder where the power to bless comes from? Oorah’s Thursday-Thought series continues with a thought-provoking look at the Torah portion of this week, Parshas Naso, featuring TorahMates coordinator Rabbi Chaim Leib Marmorstein. Short and to the point, guaranteed to fill your week with inspiration.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWfj6XCrjs4&list=UUqSF5VIZys78mD8Gd6AYqSA

Our Opinion And Hashem’s Opinion

Intimacy and Chassidus

Intimacy and Chassidus Part II: An Informal Discussion

The Meaningful Life Center is dedicated to helping everyone to lead a more meaningful life. Unlock yourself. Discover the tools to find YOUR mission in life. Brought to you by Rabbi Simon Jacobson and The Meaningful Life Center Team.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc-hziUXFQM

13 Reasons You Might Want to Keep That Sefira Beard

20.05.2015 When Reb Berel Wiess, a successful businessman, asked the Rebbe for a blessing to have both wealth and Torah knowledge, the Rebbe told him that this particular blessing requires a special vessel which Reb Berel was yet to acquire. From Living Torah Volume 140 Program 557https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2Xnm-rvjfA

It’s Up To God!

15.05.2015 Tractate Sotah, which is customarily studied between Passover and Shavuos, discusses the laws concerning a woman who is suspected of infidelity by her husband. The last folio of the Tractate discusses the onset of the Jewish people’s long exile, which is compared to the separation between husband and wife, G-d and the Jewish people. Fortunately, the tractate also presents an opinion that this separation is the result of the husband’s intense love for his wife, giving our exile an entirely new dimension. 4 Sivan, 5742 – May 26, 1982 From Living Torah Volume 140 Program 558https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbn1VFmvqHQ

Shavuos 5775 part 1,,,,Rabbi Nasan Maimon

13.05.2015 Welcome to the OFFICIAL YouTube Channel of Rabbi Nasan Maimon, founder and director of Breslov Torah. Visit http://www.breslovtorah.com for a complete listing of audio and video teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, taught by Reb Nasan Maimon and his Rabbi, Rabbi Tzvi Aryeh Rosenfeld zt”l. Please SUBSCRIBE to our channel to receive all our new videos – added daily! Don’t forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7zOg6-Pkmk

▶ ▶ ▶ The Sefirotic Tree Kabbalah Series

Kabbalah: The Secret of the Tree of Knowledge – Rabbi Laibl Wolf, Spiritgrow – Josef Kryss Center Introducing the Kabbalah and Hassidut of ‘The Sefirotic Tree’. with Rabbi Laibl Wolf, Spiritgrow Josef Kryss Centre, Melbourne, Australia http://www.spiritgrowjosefkrysscenter&#8230; This is Part 1 of the Sefirotic Tree Kabbalah Series The Tree of knowledge is more than a metaphoric passage of the Chumash. It introduces a cosmic change in the nature of human consciousness. Our dual nature, dual body parts e.g. two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, two hands, two feet etc. are spiritually mirrored by our inner duality of ego and other. All our thoughts, words and behaviour are either self-centred (self protection, survival, emotional gratification ) or other centred (empathy, compassion, sharing). These derive from our soul flows of Nefesh Behamit (self-centredness) and Nefesh Elokit (other-centredness). Likewise it plays out in our lifelong work of distinguishing right from wrong. This spiritual duality was occasioned through the eating of the ‘forbidden fruit’ — from the Tree of Knowledge. Prior to that the human being was in a state of true innocence. Even nakedness provided no cue for shame or embarrassment. Once the fruit was eaten, the sense of temptation entered into human existential condition. Since then the work of self-mastery has become a life-long process.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzk79yFI8UY&list=PLnV8Ksr7CXrnPai-lFg5mhy8Ws6E-Gxat

Rabbi Avraham Benhaim Rabbi Akiva Story and Teachings 2010 05 11

Rabbi Avraham Benhaim

Powerful Words Of Encouragement From The Sassoon Father – Who Lost 7 Children in Fire

04.05.2015 Powerful Words Of Encouragement From The Sassoon Father – Who Lost 7 Children in Fire – PLEASE SHARE – LIKE – The remains of seven Jewish children killed when a devastating house fire ripped through their family home are being flown to Israel so they can be laid to rest. A procession of hearses from their funeral on Sunday in Brooklyn led their coffins to New York’s JFK airport where they were boarded onto a flight bound for Jerusalem where they will be buried on Monday. The heartbreaking leg of the journey began hours after their father Gabriel Sassoon, broke down during his eulogy. He described how they all ‘had faces of angels’ before starting to weep in front of hundreds of mourners packed inside the Shomrei Hadas Chapel in Borough Park. Mr Sassoon was at a religious retreat early Saturday morning when a fire broke out at his home in Brooklyn, New York – sparked by a malfunctioning hot plate that was left on to keep food warm during the Sabbath, as Jews do not light fires or turn on appliances on their day of rest. His wife Gayle and 14-year-old daughter Tzipora were the only two in his family to survive the blaze, after jumping from the second floor. Sons Yakob, 5, Moshe, 8, Yeshua, 10, and David, 12, and daughters Sarah, 6, Rivkah, 11, and Elian, 15, did not survive.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKi1m–miTQ

הרב אמנון יצחק – חובת הלבבות – שער הביטחון

A Hesped on Rabbi Ahron Lichtenstein by Rabbi Yochanan Schrader

20.04.2015 Baruch Dayan Emet. One of the greatest has left us. This is a Hesped said by Rabbi Yochanan Schrader, in the Beit Midrash of Akiva Hebrew day school in Southfield Michigan. The photo is from a Shiur that Rav Lichtenstein gave in the Beit Midrash of the Hesder Yeshivah of Yerucham.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsS-XH4gr-U

Do all you can to bring Moshiach

17.04.2015 24 years ago today, the Rebbe delivered an impassioned talk about Moshiach. The address sparked concern among Chassidim motivating them to throw themselves into fulfilling the Rebbe’s vision of perfecting the world through Torah and Mitzvos in even higher gear. 28 Nissan 5751 – 1991https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-_x9VnxdhQ

פסח שני בחוקותי התשעד

Finding What You Didn’t Lose: Pesach Sheni

The “Second Passover” sacrifice was offered as a restitution for the Pascal sacrifice, for someone who was ritually impure or too far away from the Temple at the time of Passover. But Jewish law rules that a non-Jew who converts to Judaism right after Passover, or a child who comes of age right after Passover, must also bring a “Second Passover” sacrifice, even though they were not obligated to bring a sacrifice on the first Passover. The Talmudic commentaries explain that Second Passover has two facets to it: On the one hand, it is “restitution”; on the other, it is a celebration in its own right. There are two lessons taught by Second Passover. First, there is the famous adage of my father-in-law, the Rebbe, that Second Passover teaches us that “no situation is ever completely lost.” But this is relevant only to someone who appears to be “lost.” What about the person who hasn’t “lost” anything at all, for he was never “obligated”? Second Passover comes and teaches a second, new, concept: every Jew must continuously progress in G-d’s ways. A Jew may never be satisfied with his present spiritual state, even if everything appears to be perfect. When a new month comes along, it demands that you reach a new spiritual level, even compared to what you attained last month, on Passover. 14 Iyar, 5744 · May 16, 1984 From Living Torah Disc 88 Program 349

Siyum Harambam at Kotel (Western Wall) #2

Celebrating Study of Rambam

12.12.2014 Rabbi Shmuel Butman recalls the day the Rebbe called him to his house, requesting that he publish a book commemorating the worldwide celebrations of the annual completion of the Mishneh Torah. His due date? Three weeks. Living Torah Disc 134 Program 536https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiiEe2Sd7tE

In the Beginning: The Genesis of My Shlichus – Chabad Lay Leadership Conference